Improvement in ice-creepers



J. CROSSLEY.

- ICE-CREEIERS. No. 189,703. Patentd Apri117, 1877.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIGF.

JOSEPH OROSSLEY,'OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN lCE-CREEPERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 189,703, dated April17, 1877; application filed March 1, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH CRossLEY, of Trenton, Mercer county, in theState of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful improvementsrelating to creepers to be worn on the feet in icy weather; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full and exact descriptionthereof.

I provide a light metallic frame in two parts,

adapted to slide upon each other, and to clamp upon the bottom of theboot or shoe by being drawn together, and pressing upon and'slightlyinto the edges of the sole. quired to clamp a creeper upon a boot ismuch less than to clamp a skate. One or both parts of the metal framecarry points which prick into the ice. The two parts of the metallicframe, when properly forced together, are held by a pawl, which engageswith a rack in the side of one of the parts.

The parts may be drawn together with proper force by the aid of a lever,which is detachable, and may be carried separately in the pocket. Thepreferable construction is to provide the lever with a link, which aidsto engage the parts.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a bottom view of the device as attached to a sole,with the lever and link attached for operating it and Fig. 2 is across-section on the broken line :20 w in Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in both figures.

Aand B are the two parts of the metal frame. The points I) on each areproperly formed to prick into the ice, and secure the wearer againstslipping. The part A is formed with a long slot, (indicated by 00,) andwith a series of holes, (marked, respectively, a M, &c.) The part A,furthermore, is formed with a notched edge, as shown. The part B isunited with the part A by means of a fixed .pin, b, which is tappedthrough or otherwise firmly set in the part, and extends through theslot at in the part A. It is permanently engaged with the part A bymeans of a head The force reformed on the pin, as indicated. The pin bis also extended through the part B, and forms a projection, with whichthe link 0 may readily engage to draw the parts together by the force ofthe lever D, which latter is formed with a pin adapted to engage in anyof the holes a), M, &c. It is represented as engaged in a hole, a, andthe link 0 being jointed to the lever D near the fulcrum allows thelever to be moved with much force to draw the parts together by exertinga tension on the link U. A pawl, E, is permanently pivoted to a shortarm on the part B. The pivot is marked 6. The pawl is formed with a longthumb-piece, E, which allows it to be operated by the thumb or finger.

After the device has been once worn upon the boot the projections oredges m will have formed slight indentations in the edge of theboot-sole, and care should be taken to apply the device again in thesame position. In any case a sufficient force can be exerted by thedeverD to draw the points 112. forcibly into the leather at the edge of thesole, and thus to secure the device without requiring any otherfastening. After it is secured the lever D and link 0 are disconnectedfrom the other parts of the device, the pin being drawn out from thehole at in the part A, and the hole in the link 0 being disconnectedfrom the projecting part of the pin (1. The parts D and C may then befolded closely together, and placed in the pocket until again needed.They are required each time the creeper is applied or removed. Onelever, D, and link 0 will, of course, suffice for both or all thecreepers of a set.

It will be understood that there may be one creeper for the ball andanother for the heel of each boot, if desired.

The thumb-piece on the pawl allows the fingers to aid it in becomingengaged and disengaged, as required.

The form and proportions of all the parts may be varied within widelimits. I prefer the light skeleton formed, as represented, with twopoints, I), on the part A, and a like number on the part B. The pawl Emay be a friction-pawl, smooth, or roughened like a tile, and it may actagainst a surface not notched, if desired.

I claim as my invention- 1. The parts A B, adapted to engage with thesole of the boot or shoe, and provided with the points I), incombination with an intermediate pawl-and-ratchet mechanism to renderthe parts adjustable, as herein specified.

2. The creeper described, having the two parts A B and pawl E connectedby the pin b, and provided with slot at and holes a a, in combinationwith each other and with a detachable lever, D, and link 0, as hereinspecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day ofFebruary, 1877, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, JOSEPH OROSSLEY. Witnesses:

JOHN BRINDLEY,

M. E. GOLDING.

